Method of producing metals or metal alloys low in carbon directly out of ore or the like



Patented a. 2, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'HENNI'NG GUSTAV FLODIN, OF ROSLlLGS-NASBY, AND EMIL GUSTAF TORVALD GUS- I 'TAFSSON, OF STQCKHOLM, SWEDEN.

METHOD OF PRODUCING METALS OR METAL ALLOYS LOW IN CARBON DIRECTLY OUT OF ORE OR THE LIKE.

No Drawing- Application filed December 17, 1924, Serial No. 756,557, and in $weden January 113, 1824.

The present invention refers to a method of producing metals or metal alloys low in carbon in an electric furnace, directly out of oxide ores or other material containing metal oxides. The method is especially adapted for producing iron and steel but, however, is also suitable for the manufac ture of other carbon-binding metals low incarbon, and ofalloys thereof, directly out of in ores or the like containing such metals.

It has alreadybeen proposed to produce metals by mixing finely divided ore and finely divided carbon or other reducing agents, the mixture being then, if desired, on coking or briquetting thereof, molten in a blast furnace, a reverberating furnace, or an electric furnace. This method, however, in

practical working, with the use of carbon as a reducing agent, never yielded iron or other carbon-binding metal with a low percentage of carbon, with the degree ofce'rtainty required in regular working.

The principal objectof the present invention is to provide a method of the type described which, with the degree of certainty required for industrial working, permits the roduction of low carbon iron, steel or aloys thereof as well as of other carbon binding metals or alloys having a low caran bon content directly from their oxide ores with the use of carbon or carbonaceous mate rial as reducing agent alone or together with other reducing agent. 7,,

To'this end the invention consistsessentially in mixing intimately finely divided ore. finely divided carbonaceous material of i a quantity proportioned to the reduction of the ore and to the desired percentage of carbon in the product, and a binding agent, 0 forming the mixture into desired' shape, for instance by briquetting to lumps or locks, solidifying the bodies thus obtained so as i to effect fixing of the positions of the ore and carbon particles with relation to one another,

I feeding said solidified bodies into an electric furnace repeatedly in quantities required for arr even reduction and a regular operation of the process, and reducing and melting same whilst floating on the top of the slag bath.

The electric furnace used should preferably be of a t pe havin one or more electrodes directe In every portion of the charge, the reducing carbon required for every particle of the ore is to be found immediately adjacent the latter, and besides, the particles are rigidly connected, with one another. Consequently, as there cannot be any separation of the ore and carbon particles, the conditions are fulfilled for attaining a nearly complete consumption of the carbon, provided,

against t e bath in thefur- I nace and permitting, consequently, develop I i on the one hand, that the quantity of carbon' is properly adapted, and, on the other hand, that the operation of the electric fur nace is conducted in such a manner that no qonsiderable uantity of carbon will be absorbed from t e electrodes either during the melting or thereafter, in cases where the said electrode consist of carbon.

If the reducing carbon is admixed in a solid state, for instance, in the form of charcoal, pit-coal, anthracite, coke, or the like, the desired property of the char e, that is to saythe-property of the mutua positions of the ore and carbon particles of the charge being fixed,'may be attained by the addition of one or more suitable'binding agents in a liquid state. The binding agent should, of

course, be of such a nature that the effect thereof of keeping the particles together will not cease under the condition prevailing in the reduction furnace or in the charging devices thereof. Suitable liquid binding agents are, for instance, a solution of water-glass, lime-white, molasses, sulphite waste liquor or the like, which agents are adapted to cement the different materials rigidly onto' each other. On using such a liquid binding agent the drying process is preferably performed at'such a temperature that the binding agent becomes solid due to the expulsion of water and keeps the particles together. Evidently, only such substances should be used as binding agents that do not impair the quality of the metal produced, and that may be readily slagged, or are otherwise consumed during the process of reduction. v 1

When a portion of the reducing carbon reuired for the reduction is admixed in the orm of liquid carbonaceous substance, such as tar or oil, asphalt, peat, sulpliite waste liquor or molasses. or the like, the mixture of such material and ore is preferably dried in air or some other suitable atmosphere, so that the carbonaceous substance is solidified and. keeps the particles together at the drying temperature used. In such case a portion of the carbonaceous material. serves as a binding agent, so that a special binding agent may bedispensed with. The carbon content of said carbonaceous binding material will, of course, take part in the reduction, and. consequently. in calculating the amount of reducing agent to be admixed regard should be paid to the content of effective carbon in said binding material. The drying process must not, however, be carried out at so high a temperature that distillation or coking of the carbonaceous substance sets in to any considerable degree, for otherwise an uneven distribution of the carbon in the charge will very easily be obtained. The most suitable of the above mentioned liquid 4 carbonaceous'substances, are those that are liquid by reason of the water contents thereof. In drying, which is to be carried out up to 100-250 degrees. the water escapes, and the remaining dry substance then forms an effective binding agent, this being also the case at higher temperatures and under such conditions as are prevalent in the furnace chamber when the charge is introduced. If vacuum is used in the drying process, a corresponding lower temperature may be used. By the drying process, which may be effected during the mixing, or, after the same, (no complete dryin must, of course be permitted. before a really intimate mixture has been attained), the charge is formed into larger and smaller pieces or lumps, varying in size from that of a grape up to coherent cakes, depending on the arrangement of the drying apparatus. If larger pieces are formed, these should,

preferably, be disintegrated to smaller pieces of a suitable size before the are introduced into the furnace. Obvious y, some powder will be produced in the disintegrating operation as Well as in the drying process. However, as the number of particles always remains comparatively small, this formation of powder has practically no influence on the composition of the final product.

The smaller the size of the grains of the ore and particles of the reducing carbon before the mixing and drying, that is to say the more the size of the grains approaches the molecular size the better is the method effected. If the size of the grains selected is comparatively large, the conversion between the ore and the carbon will be more incomplete and, consequently. the recovery of metal inferior. Likewise, the conversionis apt t o be more uncertain so that it will not be 'chzargeinto the electric furnace should, ac-

cording to the invention, take place practically continuously or repeatedly in quanti ties required for an even reduction anda. regular operation of the process. By the latter expression is meant that the charge should be introduced into the furnace in relatively small portions, so that great quantities of charge are not fed into the furnace at one time. The smaller the portions are, that is to say the more continuous the introduction of the charge, the better and more even the process and the greater the roduction. If large portions of charge are ed into the furnace at one time. interruptions of Worktemperature within the furnace will vary,

causing an uneven operation of the'furnace.

rupted a suitable time before the metal is' i tapped, in order togive the material last in troduced a sufficient time for reduction; The 'i'reduction takes place very quickly-with the fine division of the material, and for this The feeding should, preferably, be interreason the said interruptions of feeding atthe tappings will not materially influence 90 mg will easily set in on account of the violent f development of gas, and furthermore the the production. When in the tapping only a portion of the metal obtaine is being tapped, feeding may also take placeduring tapping. The charge is preferably supplied to the melting chamber of the furnace through one or more charging shafts,

through which, preferably, the gases produced on reduction are also caused to escape, 11o

whereby preheating of the charge is effected before it enters the smelting chamber. The

gases which, for the most part, consistof caron monoxide, are preferably collected and utilized in-known manner, or instance for From the heating or reducing purposes. shafts the charge may be distributed over as. large a portion of the surface of the bath in the furnace as possible, this being preferably not brought into contact with the electrodes should the latter consist of carbonaceous material, as otherwise carbon fromthc said electrodes will be readily absorbed by the metal,

effected in such a manner that the charge is besides which the consumption of electrodes is increased.

In the use of reducing carbon containing sulphur to 'a considerable extent, the 'addi tion of lime-white, either alone or in com bination, with other additional substances, i"?

brings about vthe additional advantage, that the thin film of lime forming about or on the carbon-or ore particles, on reduction, binds a larger or smaller portion of this sulphur as sulphide of calcium which is ab sorbed in melting by the slag produced, and is thus rendered harmless. A larger or smaller portion of the sulphur contents of and the binding agent that may be used in connection therewith. 1 1

As already. mentioned, the charge ad-' mixed with suitable additional substances 1 may be dried in such a manner that it will be obtained in the form of lumps or pieces, the-different materials in the same being rigidly connected with each other.

This property may also be imparted to the charge by formin r or pressing .the same to brii quettes or the like and by subsequently drying or hardening the same in air or other suitable atmosphere,- at the ordinary or at an increased temperature, according to the admixtures used.- In most cases briquettmg will be found superfluous, but in certain instances it may be advantageous. If, namely, the briquetting is effected when the mixture is Warm, the layer of air on each particlefof the finely divided material will be. much thinnerand, consequently, the adhesion between the particles will be consider ably greater after pressing or the like.

- 'Thus, if in such a chargein the form of briquettes or other pieces that have been preliminarily treated in the manner set forth, the particles of the ore and those of 4 the reducing agent are distributed in the charge as uniformly as possible, andrigidly connected with each other, this charge is inintroduced into an electric furnace either continuously or repeatedly in quantities required for an even-reduction and a regular operation of the process, an iron, steel or metal having a content of carbon adapted to the total amount of carbon contained in the charge will, under otherwise proper working conditions, be obtained from the furnace. It has been found very easy to manufacture, according to the present method. iron having apercentage of carbon as low as 0,02%that is to say, iron which is practically ree from carbon.

The charge on introduction into the smelting chamber of the electric furnace floats in the slag produced until the reduction is nearly completed, owing to its content of dry carbonaceous material and its porous state which give it a smaller specific'weight than that of the slag, provided that the feeding the charge is regulated in such a manner, that the charge layer on the slag does not become too thick. By suitable admixture, the specific weight of the slag may also, if required, be increased, so that the charge will not sink down into the slag bath before completion of the reduction. If the charge sinks too soon, the same will burst on account of the violent development of gas,

which will impair the intimate contact between the ore particles and the particles of the reducing agent. If a great part of the reduction is completed within the slag bath,

the slag willswell and, in some cases, fill the whole smelting room of the furnace,

thereby rendering the'operation of the fur- I na'ce' very'diiiicult to regulate.,;

The admixture of aslag-forming material to slag the gangue of the ore or any residue from the reducing carbon and any bindingagent may take lace either in mixe erably, directly in the electric furnace in the process'of melting, or, in both of these stages of the method. The admixture di- "ing the constituents of t e charge, or pref- Z rectly into the furnace entails the advantag'e that the flux will not be lying-mixed with the particles of the ore and the carbon,

and for this reason a more intimate contact between these two materials will be obtained in this case. binding agent will be required. In the latter case the slag ing of the gangue etc. will take place on the reduced metal particles sinking down through the slag bath.

In producing iron and steel according to the method forming the subject of the presentinvention, the product may sometimes obtain a somewhat uneven percentage of carbon, and the same may also contain a considerable amount of oxides, for instance fer Besides, a smaller amount of rolls oxide. The variations may, on the." 7 one hand, depend on the nature of the ore ;f.

and the reducing carbon used, and, on the other hand, on the operation of the furnace; If the iron or the steel containsxa -large amount of oxides, the product cannot al-;

ways be'directly used as so-called comma" cial iron and, above all, not directlyas iron?" of high quality, without precedingadmix:

ture of a deoxidizing agent, or preceding refining or other treatment. As a rule. how ever, it is more advantageous to manufacture the iron, steel or metal in the reduction fur-' nace, without paying particular regard to the final quality, and to effect the subsequent requisite treatment in another furnace, if this will be found necessary on account of the required character and quantity izing or desu phurizing.

of the iron or metal. The first furnace may then be operated under the conditions that are most favourable for the reduction, while utilizingthe electric energy and the reduction furnace itself as far as possible, whereas in the second furnace, which may be of any type, for instance, an open hearth furnace, a Bessemer converter or, preferably, an electric furnace, the final quality of the product may be established under the conditions most favourable for the subsequenttreatment. Thus, the percentages of carbon and other alloying substances in the iron or metal, such as silicon, manganese, chrome, nickel etc., may be regulated or adjusted in the second furnace, for instance by decarbonizing in order to reduce a somewhat too high percentage of carbon, by refining, in order to reduce the amount of alloying sub stances absorbed from the ore and any admixture, or, by the addition of carbon or other alloyin substances, or by dephosphor- Obviously, a plurality of furnaces may also be used in succession for the subsequent treatment.

When steel is to be produced with a. percentage of carbon of about 0.10, and in using an ore or a carbonaceous material. rich in .phos horns, this will succeed directly acobject of cording to the method forming the the resent invention without the percentage of p hosphorous becoming too high if a suitable admixture of lime is made in the charge or in the furnace, so that a suitable slag is obtained which is rich in lime and ada ted to bind the phosphorus in the form of p osphates. By using a slag rich in lime, and although using raw materials containing sulphur in considerable quantities, the sulphur will be taken up in the slag to a considerable extent.

If the composition of the core is such that it is found ditlicult to drive the phosphorus into the slag, for instance by reason of a high percentage of silicic acid, it is more suitable to produce, in the first furnace, a steel which is rich in phosphorus and which is then, in the second furnace, liberated from phosphorus, with the aid of a. suitable, basic slag which is rich in lime. When the percentage of phosphorus in the steel is high, a slag is obtained'in the second furnace which is very rich in phosphorus, and which is adopted, after being powdered, to be used as fertilizer or'the like, with very good results. The latter furnace may then, preferably, consist of a Bessemer converter, the

' removal of the phosphorus from the metal being effected very rapidly. However, other types of furnaces may also be used.

If iron or steel is to be produced, which,

intentionally, is not rich in oxides, such as scrap iron to be used in the open hearth furnace, deoxidizing agents, such as ferrosilicon, farm-manganese, ferro-manganesesilicon, ferro-aluminum-silicon, aluminium or the like may be added to the steel, after an adequate quantity of charge has been reduced and melted. The deoxidizing agent is then added either in a solid state, cooled or preheated, or in a molten state. The ad mixture may in each particular case be effected at the most suitable stage of the process, the tapping channels thereof, in the ladle and/or in a mixer after the reduction furnace, or inthe ladle after the second furnace, when a. second furnace is used.

By admixing with the charge preparation of suitable ore or ores,-'for"instance quartz or other materials rich in silicic acid, manganiferous ores, chrome ores, vanadium ores or the like, together with finely divided reducing agent for the reduc- .tion of said ore or ores so-called alloyediron or alloyed steel may be produced dibe produced directly in this way, which iron or steel respectively may be used as socalled rustless iron or rustless steel. The addition of alloying substances, .which is rather for instance in one of the furnaces, in

durin gasg.

expensive when such admixture is effected in 1 the form of ferro-alloys of the metals, par ticularly when alloys low in carbon must be used, may in this way take place at a comparatively low cost. J 1

Ferro-alloys which are low in carbon, such as ferro'manganese, ferro-chromium, ferro-. tungsten, ferrovanad1um' etc., may also be advantageously produced according to the present invention, the iron ore in the mix ture being then, wholly or partly, replaced by an ore containing the metal desired in the iron. In reducing chrome ore, for instance, we have succeeded in obtaining directly by the present method, ferro-chromium with a percentage of carbon not exceeding 0,10.

In the following an illustrative example will be given of the manner in which the invention may be practiced for producing low carbon iron and steel.

Briquettes were prepared'from a mixture of the following composition:

Burnt lime used as lime white 60-65 medium 61 by ise itht. Iron ore concentrate with 62% Fe 470 Charcoal 108-132 medium "in; 117

.30 of the roundabout way involved by the blast furnace process, which iron or steel, particustacks each havin two screw conveyors for the introduction the charge. Briquettes of the above composition were fed into this furnace practically continuously and reducedand melted therein whilst floating in a thin layer on top of the slag bath.

The smelting proceeded very evenly and quietly, and the irons obtained in the difierent tappings were of extraordinaril high quality,

especially regarding the'free 0mfromgas and brittleness. The content of carbon in the products was regulated by proportioning the carbon content in thebriquettes. Thus llOIlS and steels having a carbon content of, for instance, 0.07, 0.20, 0.45, 1.08% C. .were-ob-' V tained; The comsumption of power and electrodes was very'low, especially in view 'of the high quality of the products produced.

J "3 The method according to the present in- 2:

vention ofl'ers af number of advantages.

' Finely divided ores, e. g., concentrates or the like, whch otherwise cannot be used on a. larger scale without'a preceding, comparatively expensive 'briquetting' process, together with burning or sintering, may be thus directly reduced and obtained as a marketable product. Above all, however,

the advantage is gained that a malleable ingot iron or steel may be produced for many purposes directly, with the avoidance 'larl on the addition of d eoxidizing agents, is a le to compete directly with the present cheap iron and steel. produced in greatquantities. For iron works'producingiron of a high quality, the additional advantage is available thata wastewhich is of a good quality in all respects,';and is'adapted to be used as an admixture in the open hearth and crucible furnace processes, may be produced directly according to the present method. The invention is not limited tothe ma-y terials or substances mentioned hereinbefore byway of example, but comprises all metalsand metal alloys having a tendency to ab- "sorb carbon.

' Inthe following claims the expression carbonaceous material does not only involve such carbonaceous material as tar or oil, asphalt, peat, sulphite. waste leach, molasses or the like in a liquid or solid state but also all sorts of carbon, for instance charv the furnacewoul be uneven, jeopardizing the successful performance of the'process,

if not rendering the same wholly impossible.

What we claim as new and desire to se of the United States cure by Letters Patent of America'is alloys low in carbon directly from ore and the. like, consisting in mixing. intimately A method of producing metals or metal finely divided .ore,-finely divided carbonaceous material of a quantity proportioned to the reduction of the ore and-to the desired percentage of carbon in the product,and'a bindin agent, forming the mixture into desired shape,'solidifying the bodiesthu's ob tained so as to eiiect fixing of the positions of the ore and carbon particles with-relation tooneanother, feeding said solidified bodies into an electric furnacerepeatedly in quantities required for an evenreduction and a regular operation of the process and reducing and melting same whilst floating on the top of the slag bath.

alloys low in carbon directly from ore and the like, consisting in mixin finely divided ore, finely divided carbonaceous material of a quantity proportioned to the reduction of the ore and to thedesired percentage of carbon in the product, and a binding agent, transformin into lumps or blocks, solidif mg said lumps or blocks so as to effect] fixing of the osi lation to one another, feeding said solidified lumps or blocks into an electric furnace rev 100. reduction and a regular 0 eration of the melting same of the slag bath.

'peatedly in quantities required for an even process and reducing an whilst floating on the top the mixture 2. A method of producing metals or metal (r intimately 'tion of the ore and carbon particles wit re-' 3. A method of producmg metals or metal alloys lowin carbon directly from' ore and the like, consisting in mixing intimately Y finely divided ore, finely divided ca rbona- 1.

ceous material of a quantity proportioned to 1 "the reduetionof the ore and to the desiredv 1percentage of carbon-in the product, and-a inding agent, transforming the mixture into lumps or blocks, solidifying said lumps.

or blocks by drying same so as to efi'ect fix-11 ing of the positions of the ore and carbon f particles with rela'tion to one another, feeding said solidified lumps or b ocks intoan electric furnace repeatedly in quantities required for an even reduction and a regular operation of the process and reducing and melting same whilst floating on the top of the slag bath.

4:. A method of producing metals or metal alloys low in carbon directly from ore and the like, consisting in mixing intimately finely divided ore, finely divided carbonaceous material of a quantity proportioned to the reduction of the ore and to the desired percentage of carbon in the product, and a binding agent, forming,the. mixture into desired shape, solidifying the bodies-thus iso obtained so as to effect fixing the posi- .tions of the ore and carbon particles with relation to one another, feeding said solidi- I J;-'5..A. method fied bodies practically continuously into an 'electric furnace, and simultaneously reducor producing alloyed iron, or

' steel low in carbon directly frompre and product, and a 'fla'r operation of lthe regular.

alloys low in carbondirec y,

' of the slag bath. 1

mixing intimately. suc "ore n 'a finely di- ,v'ided state, finely divided carbonaceous material of aquantity the like, consisting in mixing intimately finely..divided iron ore, finely divided ore containin the alloy constituent, finely vided car naceous' material of a uantity rtioned to the reduction of, t e ores rcentage of carbon in the an the desired in-din agent, forming the mixture intodesired' s ape, solidfyip the bodies 'thus obtained so as to eifect x ng 1; of theore andcarbon particles with relation; another furnace, finally fldJlIStlIlg the com- 20. into anelectric-furnacerepeatedl in i-quan to one another, feeding said solidified lbod ies tities' required for an even .reduc ion anda a operation (of v the proces {and reducmelting same v vlnlst' float ng on the and .;. 6. A metho of prmiucmtgl metals] r metal from-ore. and the like, consisting in fmirin intimately. finely divided ore,1finely. .divi ed p c'eousmaterial ofa quantity proportioned to the "reduction; ofJ't-he .ore. and the desiredrcentage of carbon in" the product, and

- ewlnte as/a bindin agent, forming the mixture into desired 3 a e, solidfying the bodies thus obtained by ing same in an atmosphere containin carbon dioxide so asto efiect fixirigfoft epositions of the ore and carbon articles with relation to one another,ffee ing said solidified bodies into 'anelectric' furnacerepeatedlyin uantities a. regu ocess and reducing, floating on the' top.

uired'. forv an even reduction an r and melting same vyhigt 7. A methodof metals. alloys low in'carbon direct y-from ore and proportioned to the re: duction of the ore an of carbon in the product, and a binding1 1 nt, formin said mixture into desire js ape, solidfying the'bodies thus obtained, 80 as to effect fixing of the positions of the ore and .carbon -titi'd g -required {foran even reduction and v {irregular operation of the process, reducing and melting the bodies whilst floatingon the Pb h ak ofllimet (sit the osp orus is t ennp in. e s ag an tapping the metal or metal alloy'thu s formed.

the likewconsisting in mixin H ggfinelyjdavided ore, finely divi ed carbona-yii carbons-.1

the-desired percentage" J 8. A methodof producingmeta-ls or metal alloys low in ,carbon directly from ore and the like,'consis'ting" in mixing intimately finely divided ore, finely divided carbonaceous -material of a quantity proportioned to the reduction. of the ore and the desired ercentage of carbon in the product, and a inding a cut, forming the mixture into desired s ape, solidifying the bodies thus obtained, so as to effect fixing of thepositions of the ore and carbon particles with relation to one operation of the-proces s,jreducing andmelt ing same {whilst scans-g on the top 'of'the slag bath, tapping the, metal or metal alloy *athus formed,'. introducing said metal into 1. position of the metal or metal alloy in said :other furnaceland tapping the metal or H J metal alloy.

93A method of producing 'falloys lowin carbon direct ceons material of a quantity proportioned 'and a'binding age1 1t, forming the mixture into I desired shape, solidifyin thus obtained so as to effect,

with relation to one another, 5 feeding said solidified bodies practicallycontinuousl insame whilst floatin onth'e top of .the'slag anther, feeding said solidified bodies' ;into'- -an electric furnace repeatedly ingquantit-ies" required for an even reductionand a regular metals or metal y from ore and intimately.

to thel reduction' of the or'e'andto the day; sired percentageof carbon in the products;

the bodies v 'ng of the a positions of the ore and carbon particles Y 10 jto an electric furnace, reducing and me ting bath, breaking off .t e ieedin'gof the bodies dec ceous material; "of Q a; -quantity?proportioned 'isiidgihuimtel f .ffin'ely dividedore, ..fineIy ided carbona I p to the .reduction 'ofthore-and to the dea the like richin pho's horus,"flconsistin'g- 1n sired-. percentage. of rcarbongin the product,

and ta pingthemetaljor metal lalloythus,

ffandi'a binding agent, forming the mixture into desired shape, solidifying the bodies j duction and a regular operation of theproc articles with relation to. onefanotheryfeeding said solidified bodies intdganelectric furnace repeatedly inv quanfloa'ting'"1 on the top of' the slag bathv with edly-in quantities required for an even re- 1'20 ess andlreducingand melting same whilst the heatiat leastin part developed by elect-ric resistance inthe slag. a

:11 A methQd. of'pr' ucing rustless iron and 1 steel directly i ediron ore, finely divided chromic ore, finely divided carbonaceous material ofa quantity proport oned to the reduction of the ore and .125 from ore and the like, consisting in mixing intimately finely divid- Y into an eltctric furnace repeatedly in quan-' tities required foran-even reductionand a,

regular operation of the process and 'reducand carbon articles with relation to one. '1 another, fee g said" solidified bodies into; van electric furnace repeatedly'in uantities top of theslag bath. a

12. In a direct electric reduction process for metals or metal alloys low in carbon-with.- a charge composed of fine particles of, ore

-.melting same whilst slag bath and adding ,to the furnace a-deoxidizing agent after an ade uate quantity of bodies has been reduced an melted.

the desired percentage of carbon in the product, and a bindin agent, forming the mixture into desire shape,v solidifying the bodies thus obtained so as to effect fixing of the ore and carbon particles'with relation to one another, feeding said solidified bodies ing and melting samewhilst'floating onthe and carbonaceous material intimately mixed togethr with a binding agent and solidified into fixed ositions relatively to each other as required for reduction, the step of feeding said charge into the electric furnace repeatedly in quantities required for an even reduction and a regular operation of I the process and reducing and melting same whilst floating on of the slag bath.

13. A method of producing metal alloys low in carbon directly from metals or.

ore and the like, -consisti1ig in mixing in,-

timately 'finely divided ore, finely divided carbonaceous material ,and a binding agent, forming the ,mixture'jinto desired shape,

required for an even reduction an a regularioperation of the oating on topof the tures.

. HENNINGGUSTAVFLODIN.

solidifyin thefbodiesf thus obtained so as toefi'ect ing of-the positions ofz-theore as rocess, reducing and 0 Q In testimony whereof we 'aflix o'u'r sigmai 15ml,UTAEIORVALD cus'riwsson. 

